CARNEGIE

Oklahoma’s Promise

Web Site: https://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/

Application: https://secure.okcollegestart.org/applications/Oklahoma_Promise/apply.html?application_id=3544

WHAT IS OKLAHOMA'S PROMISE?

Oklahoma’s Promise allows eighth-, ninth- or 10th-grade students from families with an income of $55,000 or less to earn a college tuition scholarship. Students must also meet academic and conduct requirements in high school.

Created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college, Oklahoma’s Promise was originally designated as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The program is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. The family income of the student's parents may not exceed $55,000 at the time of enrollment in the eighth-, ninth- or 10th grade.¹ In addition, prior to receiving any program benefit in college, the federal adjusted gross income (AGI) of the student's parents (or the income of the student if the student is officially determined to be financially independent of their parents) may not exceed $100,000. Each year in college Oklahoma's Promise students will be required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will be used to determine whether the federal adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000. For any year that the income exceeds $100,000, the student will not be eligible to receive the program benefit.
2. Take 17 units of required high school courses to help get ready for college. The Oklahoma's Promise Curriculum Worksheet (XLSX, 23k) can help you record your grades and make sure you have taken the right courses. You can also get more details about what high school courses count toward the Oklahoma's Promise curriculum. external link, opens in new window
3. Make a cumulative 2.50 GPA for all courses in grades 9-12.
4. Make a cumulative 2.50 GPA or better in the 17-unit OK Promise core curriculum.²
5. Do your homework.
6. Don't skip school.
7. Don't abuse drugs or alcohol.
8. Don't commit criminal or delinquent acts.
9. Meet with a teacher, counselor or principal to go over your schoolwork and records.
10. Provide information when requested.
11. Apply for other financial aid during your senior year of high school.
12. Take part in Oklahoma's Promise activities that will prepare you for college.
13. The student must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States at the time they enroll in college in order to receive the scholarship.

¹Special income provisions may apply to children adopted from certain court-ordered custody and children in the custody of court-appointed legal guardians as well as families receiving Social Security disability and death benefits. See the FAQs for Application and Income.

²Homeschool students and students graduating from a high school not accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education must also achieve a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT test reported on an official test report issued by ACT. "Residual" ACT test scores do not qualify.